Costa Blanca In View

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Getting Back Into The Swing Of Blogging

Hola !
As been awhile since I have blogged due to the fact we have been away on holiday to The Costa Blanca for a couple of weeks. Its taking time to re adjust to a fortnight of sun sand and warm weather and arid landscape to the cool wet and very green England.
Enjoyed my holiday in Spain and did quiet a lot in our few weeks. We spent time both exploring the white sandy beaches and warm seas and the more Spanish cities and villages away from the coast and up in the mountains where you can still find a little bit of old Spain away from the costa's endless apartment buildings and urbanisations. The Elche gardens and palmeral was one of the first places we visited and was both very colorful and tranquil with lots of vibrant colorful plants, palm trees for shade from the hot sun, fountains to cool the feet and pretty doves flying around that added to the peacefulness. Another day on our travels we spent a day at Fonts De Agar in the mountains a lovely journey with lots of orange trees, apricot trees, almonds and olive groves growing on the mountain sides I managed to get a photo of a lizard bathing on the rocks. We spent time having a swim in the cool clear waters and enjoyed natures natural jacuzzi and I jumped in from the rocks above with stomach in mouth took the plunge but came up with a smile on my face once I resurfaced. After the waterfalls we carried on to the historical mountain village of Gaudelest with its castle and church and stunning views of the turquoise lake below. We took another excursion to Calpe where we climbed the rock of Ifrach, climbed most the way up with breath taking views of the town below and the crystal clear blue waters of the med. Didn't quite make it to the top as you needed to be very sure footed for the last part and I felt a little uneasy and got a bit of vertigo so had to come back down, we did climb most of the way up thou. We visited some magnificent churches on our travels and the church in Old Altea was exceptionally grand and atmospheric for the religious and non religious alike. The church is on the top of hill in the old town which you reach by climbing the steps of pretty narrow lined streets with classy shops and restaurants. We spent sometime on the beaches of Guadamar, Torrejvecia, and the impressive long clean white stretches north of Alicante in fact most beaches where very sandy and clean hence the name Costa Blanca which means white coast. The food was great the meat and the paella being especially nice. We had a few meals out in a couple of Spanish restaurants one with a great Spanish singer who entertained us for the evening with the obligatory Viva Espana song in Spanish of course which all the Brits delighted in singing dancing and clapping to. Things were quiet cheap compared to the Uk and we got to visit some lovely markets where I bought my mum and myself some lovely new shoes. Another place that is worth a good mention is The Canalobre Caves which we visited in the mountains near Buscot they where very interesting with deep caverns and millions of years old staletites and stalagmites and wierd shapes that looked liked melting candles. Canalobre translating to candelabre in english. The Spanish people where very friendly and the expats most helpful. Was nice to get back but with a hint of sadness that we had to leave was very touched that our neighbor's where glad to see us home and greeted us with some food of gammon and eggs which was welcomed as we hadn't had chance to go shopping. All in all a very enjoyable holiday I could write a lot more but will leave that till another day or for those who ask. Addios Amigo's

May 5th In View

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Night time Wood Land Walk

Another glorious spring day wall to wall sunshine and warm not quite as warm as yesterday but still very pleasant indeed. Had two very enjoyable walks this evening one with Spritz to the local park and another to an ancient wood the later being a night time walk. Picked up my cousin and her husband who had kindly bought us tickets. The walk was fantastic the wood takes on a totally different ambiance at night and the smells and noises more intense. The bluebells where stunning and gave a beautiful display by torchlight. We had a excellent guide who pointed out things that one would usually miss if you are not knowledgeable of the place. We tasted the wild garlic and learnt about all the different trees and what each tree was used for both in building and medicine. The guide also pointed out the castle remains and the ancient burial mounds amazing how they where built with just primitive tools and lots of manpower only. We had a look for some grass snakes but not quiet warm enough yet so will go back and have a look later in the year. We saw badger tracks and woodpecker holes and shavings under the tree. Another thing we learnt was the origin of the word port and how it is connected to the Romans and elderberry very interesting. Was a little tired before going out but soon woke up when we got walking. The night was clear and mild and you could see the moon and stars through the canopy which was enchanting with the owls twit tooing in the background. We must have walked about three miles started at 9.30pm and finished about 11.15pm it went so quickly couldn't believe how fast the time passed. All in all a very rewarding day can't wait for the next one. There is dawn chorus walk on midsummers morning at another place so will definately get our name down for that.

Sultry Evening May 4th

After a long warm sunny day the hottest day so far this year we headed out to Allesley for our evening walk. Took a walk through the oilseed rape fields and to the summit of a hill the name I do not know yet, where I climbed the ordnance survey summit stone and surveyed the view. The oil seed rape had rather a very sweet smell to its like sweet honey and its the bright expanse of yellow that you see across some parts of the countryside. Slightly a different walk and scenery than what we normally do but variety is the spice of life or a box of chocolates as a lady friend of mine from a message forum would say. The evening was barmy shorts and teeshirt weather, tiring and thirsty so we didn't go to far. Spritz had fun lost her in the crops as you can see by clicking on the movie link.

No respite tonight very muggy and temps holding up above 15c. I've just been enjoying a nice piece of cool melon out of the fridge which is a treat on muggy warm nights. Also up watching the elections waiting for the Coventry results which seem to come in rather late into the night. Not going to say if I am pleased with the results or not as I don't do politics. Just going to say we are a lot more bluer tonight than in the past forty years of being red. ;-)

Jon as been out to the airport today to do a pre check and a pre run for the elderly folk who will be joining us in two weeks time. My mum also popped over earlier and bought me some sun glasses and travel sickness pills which will be much appreaciated. Only 5 days now and counting.

Evenings Pictures

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In View

Few Pictures From The Events In Last Few Days Sorry About Lack Of Been Busy.

In View Latest Photos

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Todays Scorcer

May 4th Phew its Warm

Rather a hot sunny day here today with a feel more like that of the middle of summer than spring. The mercury as I write is hitting over 26c that's a whopping 78f in old money. Blog and trips winding down a little now as have been busy preparing for holidays doing a little of a spring clean so house is all spick and span for our return. Just the ironing and case to pack now will try and do a little each day then its not so bad then. Its going to be along few days ahead with the excitment building.

We our still doing the evening walks but not venturing too far as we want to conserve a bit of petrol. We have our car ordered now will be nice to be able to buy petrol at 70p per litre nearly 30p a litre cheaper than here in the UK.

Spritz went to her obedience training on Tuesday and she is coming along fine. She as learnt a few more commands and we have both had great fun training her. A well trained dog is a happy dog I think. After Spritzs training we took our usual trip round the park and a newly planted wood after. I spotted a owl with its freshly caught dinner which was a wonderful site to watch hunting apart from the poor creature it had just caught of cause. Well that's nature we all have to eat !

Just a night time walk planned for Friday with a few people and we might have to go to North Wales before Wednesday.

Well for now Amigo's it Addios. Hope to get at least one blog and photos posted while on vacation and a few in before we fly off.